McMurray calls for a clean up of water sports venues and rives and lakes generally
South Down Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray took the opportunity last week to address Assembly members to highlight the impact of water pollution on water sports.
Speaking ahead of an event by the Clean Water Sports Alliance at Parliament Buildings, sponsored by the South Down MLA, Mr McMurray said: “Lakes, rivers and seas do for water sports what pitches, halls and courts do for ‘traditional” sports.’
“They are absolutely essential playgrounds for these sports, but they are not reliably available in the way other sports facilities are.
“Increasingly, man-made pollution is curtailing participation in water sports. This means that events are being cancelled, postponed, or moved more and more often. And in some cases, participants even become ill.”
Commenting on the situation in his constituency, Mr McMurray said: “We have seen serious water quality issues in our local water bodies, particularly in Newcastle bathing waters and at Castlewellan Lake.
“Last year, a triathlon planned to take place at Castlewellan Forest Park had to be downgraded to a ‘sprint duathlon’ because of toxic algae in the lake, affecting 400 participants.
” This is a result of the water pollution that is sadly becoming the norm in Northern Ireland and a prime example of the impact this scourge is having on water sports.”
